Sutton Goes to Ottawa

			2009/2010 NHL Statistics
To Ottawa	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	2010 Cap Hit	2011 Cap Hit
Andy Sutton	Defenseman	35	54	4	12	$3 million	UFA
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To Long Island	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	2010 Cap Hit	2011 Cap Hit
San Jose's 2010 2nd Round Pick

The Senators are buyers in this trade deadline market and they went out and picked up a new piece for their team on Tuesday, acquiring Andy Sutton from the Islanders for a previously-acquired draft pick.

Sutton is a defensively-minded blueliner, who does chip in with the odd goal and assist here and there, but its his size and strength that make him a hot commodity, not to mention his rental agreement.

The Islanders followed suit with the pair of defensemen deals from Monday, picking themselves up a 2nd round pick in the process, taking advantage of the situation of growing the franchise from the youth and upwards.

The Senators were flirting with the cap ceiling before this deal, but with injury discounts from Jason Spezza and Pascal Leclaire on their books, they should be okay with the remaining $687,000 that Sutton will take up under the cap. With Sutton being an unrestricted free agent in July, they won't have to worry about him going forward. I would imagine that this will be the last move that the Senators make because of their cap constraints.

Sutton is a Box 29 defenseman that was only taken once in the Sheet pool this season. The depth in the Islanders organization on the blueline was very forgiving to Sutton, who is a defensive defenseman. I'm actually surprised that he was taken once, but I would probably chalk that one up to familiarity of the name, compared to others in the box. Sutton's 12 points this season ranks him near the bottom of the box scoring ranks.

Defensemen remain hot among teams in the market for players and the price is getting awfully high for these depth guys. The market is ripe with defensemen, but it's only going to be for the 'right guy' that teams are going to part with a higher-end pick. Sutton will bring some stability to the Senators and maybe some safety to the goalies, Brian Elliot and Pascal Leclaire. They have been a good team and they are looking to be a contender in the East.

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